Slackware This Forum is for the discussion of Slackware Linux.
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06-10-2006, 05:32 PM
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#1
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LQ Newbie
Registered: Jun 2006
Posts: 2
Rep:
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Is Slackware for me?
SYSOP has Redhat installed at work. I mostly use the GUI, and leave technical stuff to him. I am currently an XP user, graduating through the ranks from DOS3. I've installed Ubuntu and played there a bit, but had some problems. An IM user on Ubuntu channel suggested downloading Slax live to see what happened. Sha-Bang! Up it booted, looked easy to use. Thought I'd install Slax on the HD, but found Slackware recommended. Using a PIII-650/128M machine, so not a lot of power to spare.
I noted Ubuntu loaded very easy. Is it the same w/Slackware?
Thanks
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06-10-2006, 05:51 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Registered: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Distribution: Gentoo, RHEL, Fedora, Centos
Posts: 43,417
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clearly not an intro. moved to Slackware.
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06-10-2006, 06:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Registered: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle, WA: USA
Distribution: Slackware 11.0
Posts: 1,191
Rep:
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Slackware can be configured to many different types of machines. I have it running great on a PII 400Mhz w/ 128mb RAM, which has a light weight windows manager and is configured to not load up extra stuff that I will not need. On the filp side of that, I also use it on my P-IV 2.8Ghz w/ 1Gb RAM with the KDE window manager and all the fancy eye candy. Slackware is what you make it, that's why I like it.
regards,
...drkstr
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06-10-2006, 09:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Registered: Sep 2004
Distribution: slackware
Posts: 4,703
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As someone who grew up with DOS, much like yourself, I have found using Slackware to be an extremely liberating and empowering experience. It doesn't hold your hand. It stays out of your way and returns control of your computer to you. Tip: If you can't figure out how to do something in Slackware, then you're "over-thinking" the problem. There's a simple solution to everything in Slackware.
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06-10-2006, 10:04 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Following the white rabbit
Distribution: Slackware64 -current
Posts: 2,300
Rep:
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It really depends. If you're willing to spend a little time learning Slack is great. If you expect the OS to hold your hand then I'd have to say no.
The best advice I can give is to install it and try it with the understanding that you will likely have to spend some time learning how it works.
BTW, what problems did you have with Ubuntu?
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06-10-2006, 10:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Registered: Dec 2004
Location: In my house.
Distribution: Ubuntu 10.10 64bit, Slackware 13.1 64-bit
Posts: 2,649
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To expand a little on rknelson:
Search the Slackware forum here at LQ.
Odds are, your issue will not be unique. But if that still doesn't resolve it, post a question.
You'll find the main reason Slackware rocks is:
THIS FORUM AND ITS PEOPLE
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06-10-2006, 11:43 PM
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#7
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LQ Newbie
Registered: Jun 2006
Posts: 2
Original Poster
Rep:
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Thanks to all. I am a computer "user" and not really a programmer. My main reason for going to Linux is to get away from MS. I am, I suppose, looking for some handholding, only because I do not have a lot of time to completely learn a new OS. When I loaded Ubuntu, I did have to go to the help forums to get the ethernet card to work. One of the help folks suggested trying Slax just to see if it was a hardware problem, of software configuration. The live CD worked wonderfully, almost like a miracle. Thus, I thought I'd give Slackware consideration. But honestly, I don't think I can afford to build a new machine piece by piece (software)...I'm just not that good.
Of course, if there is a GOOD and easy "Slackware for Dummies" book...
Is there a linux distro that can work pretty good "out of the box"?
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06-10-2006, 11:57 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Following the white rabbit
Distribution: Slackware64 -current
Posts: 2,300
Rep:
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Honestly these days there is very little hardware that won't work in Linux, you just may have to get your hand dirty to get there. If you can be a little more specific we can probably steer you in the right direction.
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06-11-2006, 12:19 AM
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#9
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Member
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Dallas
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 912
Rep:
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I tried RedHat through many versions, then Fedora core 2, 3, and 4, and Debian, then finally Slackware. I sampled a few other Linux distros briefly. Let me tell you that you don't need to be a programmer to get the most out of Slackware. You do have to be willing to think and do some independent research and ask questions (this forum is the best place to ask) and to experiment a little now and then. Maybe. It depends on your hardware and what you want to do with your software. You might need to spend a little more time configuring certain things than you would with some of the other distros. You might spend a little more time at the command line. I'll be honest and say that you may run into frustrating brick walls now and then, especially in some areas where Windows effectively isolates you from all pain (e.g., sound, video), but that's really true of any Linux system since none of them are like Windows.
I had a couple of objectives for migrating to Linux besides just wanting to get away from MS Windows, but that was certainly part of it. If you really want to get away from MS Windows, you are going to have to spend some time learning a new OS. Some distros might be a little easier at first than some others, but what you may sacrifice for that ease to one degree or another is the knowledge and familiarity with the OS that will enable you to be in control of your system. Isn't that knowledge worth spending a little effort to acquire.
If you really don't want to learn a new OS and you don't care to know how to configure it to make it serve your needs best, then by all means, go with a distro that isolates you from your system, keeps you from knowing it, and holds your hand like MS Windows; one that keeps you floating miles atop your architecture like a flimsy raft traversing the ocean in the vicinity of the Mariana Trench. It'll still accomplish your stated objective. But if you want to exercise greater control of your system and understand why it works, go with a distro that is rock-solid and capable of serving your needs, whatever they may be. That would be Slackware.
Having said all that, Ubuntu is said to be a fine distribution. Nothing wrong with going that route if it suits your needs better.
Last edited by Z038; 06-11-2006 at 12:22 AM.
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06-11-2006, 12:40 AM
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#10
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Member
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Dallas
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 912
Rep:
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I had a '69 Ford pickup truck years ago. The engine was made out of cast iron, a common type of heavy metal back then , with a few rubber hoses and some belts here and there. It ran like a top, it was solid as a rock, it was difficult to break, and it was dirt simple to work on. That's how I think of Slackware.
The alternative is a distro that has a flimsy aluminum manifold, lots of plastic parts and mysterious black boxes, a bewildering mess of rubber hoses and belts, and bothersome protective shrouds everywhere. You void the warranty if you so much as open the hood, much less take a wrench to it.
Not the greatest analogy, I guess, but I sure like the heavy metal cast iron block that came with my Slackware distro.
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06-11-2006, 12:50 AM
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#11
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Boise, ID
Distribution: Mint
Posts: 6,642
Rep:
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"Is Slackware for me?"
You'll never know unless you try it....
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06-11-2006, 12:50 AM
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#12
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Member
Registered: Mar 2006
Distribution: Slackware 12.1
Posts: 95
Rep:
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Maybe try out Ubuntu for a while to get your feet wet. As soon as you start using linux more you might start to really get into it and want to learn more. Maybe, at that point, check out Slackware. Like it has been said before, Slack can be whatever you make of it. Once you spend some time with Slackware you may really start to appreciate the power and control you have over your system...
Good luck...
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06-11-2006, 01:17 AM
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#13
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Moderator
Registered: Apr 2002
Location: earth
Distribution: slackware by choice, others too :} ... android.
Posts: 23,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z038
I had a '69 Ford pickup truck years ago. The engine was made out of cast iron, a common type of heavy metal back then :), with a few rubber hoses and some belts here and there. It ran like a top, it was solid as a rock, it was difficult to break, and it was dirt simple to work on. That's how I think of Slackware.
The alternative is a distro that has a flimsy aluminum manifold, lots of plastic parts and mysterious black boxes, a bewildering mess of rubber hoses and belts, and bothersome protective shrouds everywhere. You void the warranty if you so much as open the hood, much less take a wrench to it.
Not the greatest analogy, I guess, but I sure like the heavy metal cast iron block that came with my Slackware distro.
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I very much like your analogy :}
Back in the days I could jumps-start my car when the battery
ran flat by pushing it, and slamming it into 2nd gear. With the
current vehicle this is impossible; I need someone with cables
and time to get it going :}
Cheers,
Tink
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06-11-2006, 01:24 AM
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#14
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Member
Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Australia
Distribution: slackware 12.1
Posts: 753
Rep:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkelsen
As someone who grew up with DOS, much like yourself, I have found using Slackware to be an extremely liberating and empowering experience. It doesn't hold your hand. It stays out of your way and returns control of your computer to you. Tip: If you can't figure out how to do something in Slackware, then you're "over-thinking" the problem. There's a simple solution to everything in Slackware.
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In my limited experience with slackware I have found the above paragraph extremely TRUE!
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